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The Australian War Memorial has announced the reappointment of Matthew Anderson as director for an additional five years.
Australian War Memorial chair of the council Kim Beazley made the appointment announcement earlier this week.
“For the past five years, Matt has led us with passion and dedication, ensuring that the memorial remains one of Australia’s most treasured and visited cultural institutions,” an official statement from the War Memorial read.
“His leadership reflects our nation’s deep commitment to remembering, understanding and honouring the service and sacrifice of Australians.
“With this reappointment, Matt will continue to provide the stability and guidance needed for the memorial’s ongoing success. He will also continue the important work of overseeing the memorial’s largest development project to date, due for completion in June 2028.”
The Australian War Memorial recently welcomed back the iconic bronze cast sculpture of Simpson and his donkey, 1915 by Peter Corlett late last year over the holiday period.
The 2.35-metre tall Simpson and his donkey, 1915 made at Victoria College foundry in 1986 has reportedly been a crowd favourite since it was unveiled at the memorial in 1988.
“The sculpture depicts the bravery of 22-year-old, English-born and Australian enlisted John Simpson Kirkpatrick (3rd Field Ambulance Brigade) and his service during the Gallipoli campaign. Unarmed, Private Simpson used a number of small donkeys to carry men down from the front line, leaving himself exposed to snipers and artillery fire,” according to the memorial.
“Peter Corlett wanted the sculpture to communicate compassion, courage and humility. He portrays a calm and resolved Simpson helping a wounded soldier. The return of Simpson and his donkey marks another important milestone in the memorial’s development project.”
